Susan

I am planning a week vacation for our Anniversary. We want to stay somewhere in the Bahamas. We DO NOT want the crowds, but want someplace to hike, snorkel, dive, wonderful beaches and relax. Which island do you recommend?? There are so many to chose from and not been there at all is no help.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Lee

Susan: Why not check into Eleuthera? It's close to New Providence, so it's easy to get to. It's supposed to be quiet, beautiful with good hotels and great beaches.

We have not made it there, yet, but it's on our list. I'd check into it. Good luck.

Eva

I HIGHLY recommend the Abacos. These Out Islands have everything you seek, and then some. My husband and I have visited three times, twice on land, and most recently (this April) on a bareboat catamaran charter, so I know whereof I speak (I've also been to Eleuthera and a dozen or more other Caribbean islands, and the Abacos keep calling us back). The waters are among the most gorgeous anywhere, with spectacular beaches by the dozen, so you'll have no problem finding a spot of your own. The Abacos are a chain of small cays, which many visitors hop between by rented motorboat; however, if you don't wish to take that leap, you can visit other islands by regular ferry service, or simply choose one of the many charming cays as your home for the week. My personal favorite is Elbow Cay because it has everything you might need, including the famous and oft-photographed Hopetown Lighthouse, right there; transportation (once you get there) is by golf cart. For more information, visit my personal website, which has photos and a trip report of my most recent Abaco journey (www.homestead.com/islandtime/MainPage1.html), or visit the very active Abaco Community Message Board (www.abacoboard.com), which will answer your questions and link you to TONS of information about the Abacos.

Robert

Susan; Ditto both of the above messages. Each Bahamian Island has it' unique qualities. I've been traveling to Abaco since 1989 with my wife, helping to save the endangered Bahamian Parrot, doing reef fish surveys, etc. We stayed at the Guana Seaside Village this past April, which is on Great Guana Cay, the largest cay off of Abaco. The Dolphin Beach Resort is nice as well, on Great Guana Cay, and is on the Atlantic Ocean side. The Seaside Village was at the northernmost tip of Guana, and is on the gentler Sea Of Abaco. If you stay at the Dolphin Beach resort, a dive op is on the premises, called Froggies. They do snorkeling excursions as well to beautiful coral reefs in the Fowl Cay Underwater Nature Preserve, on a daily basis. We went with Froggies on one excursion and came across a huge pod of dolphins, with a small bambino about 2 feet long. Caribbean Reef sharks and dozens of reef fish were seen at Fowl Cay as well.
You could rent a boat and explore on your own, but the Atlantic side of Abaco, on the other side of the chain of cays, can be tricky, at times, due to currents, tides, reefs which lie just under the surface, etc. There are also the Exuma Cays, with dive ops and neat places to stay. See my Exuma Trip Reports I-VII below. If you have specific questions, feel free to e-mail me. Robert You're right, the Bahamas has so much to see!

Ryan

Two ideas:

1) Look at the web site for Abaco Inn. THis is truly a great place. I grew up in South Florida going over for about a month out of the year. THis is a cost-effective extremely nice rustic place. One of the best restuaunts overlooking one on the very few out island cliffs on the ocean.

2) More personal would be to rent a house on one of the islands. THis is the greatest, but I do not recommend it as highly if you are not familiar with boats. A rental would be necessry for some of the smaller islands like Man-O-War and can be tricky dealing with nightfall after dinner and drinks. If you knoew boats, try to get a house on Man-O-War called "Costa Lotta". It is a beautiful house right on the beach and is not very expensive despite the name. VERY ROMANTIC!